Device and method for treating hair

ABSTRACT

A device for treating hair with a chemical solution comprises a tube having a base secured thereunder to normally define a closed chamber therein. A continuous separation line is formed longitudinally through the tube and through the base to separate the device into separate sections hingedly connected together to define a continuous slot therebetween when the device is opened. Hair strands are positioned in the slot and the device is closed to pinch the strands between the separable base sections to seal them within the chamber. The chamber is then at least partially filled with a chemical solution to color or otherwise treat the hair strands.

United States Patent [1 1 Savala 1 Apr. 23, 1974 1 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING HAIR [76] Inventor: Donna L. Savala, 1830 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax, Calif. 94930 [22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 305,964

52 U.S. C1. 132/9 [51] Int. Cl A45d 1/00 [58] Field of Search 132/9, 84 R; 215/6; 222/206 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,103,933 9/1963 Sanzo 132/9 3,101,724 8/1963 l-lizetich.. 132/9 3,198,196 8/1965 Swin 132/9 3,205,521 9/1965 McCaughey et a1... 132/84 R 3,348,716 10/1967 Hakata 215/6 Primary Examiner-G. McNeilll Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fryer, Tjensvold, Phillips & Lempio [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for treating hair with a chemical solution comprises a tube having a base secured thereunder to normally define a closed chamber therein. A continu ous separation line is formed longitudinally through the tube and through the base to separate the device into separate sections hingedly connected together to define a continuous slot therebetween when the device is opened. Hair strands are positioned in the slot and the device is closed to pinch the strands between the separable base sections to seal them within the chamber. The chamber is then at least partially filled with a chemical solution to color or otherwise treat the hair strands,

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING HAIR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The popularity of frosting or otherwise treating strands of hair with a chemical solution to change the color thereof has given rise to a problem of localizing such solution. One conventional method for effecting such frosting comprises the wrapping of hair strands with a sheet of aluminum foil which has a chemical solution predisposed therein. Another method comprises the placement of a perforated template over the head of a person whereby hair strands may be pulled therethrough to expose them for application of the chemical solution. Such methods have the disadvantage of permitting the solution to seep onto adjacent hair strands and onto the persons scalp to cause irritation thereof.

Another solution to such problem is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3, I01 ,724 wherein a cup-like device, comprising a cylindrical member detachable mounted on a base is placed on selected hair strands and filled with a chemical solution. Such device, requiring multiple operations to be performed simultaneously, is cumbersome in use and requires close attention of the hair dresser when the cylindrical member is attached to the base to form the necessary seal therebetween.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to overcome the above, briefly described problems by providing an economical and non-complex device for expeditiously and effi' ciently treating selected strands of hair with a chemical solution. The device comprises a tube defining a chamber therein, open at its upper end, and a base secured to a lower end of the tube. Means are provided for opening the device to define a continuous slot longitudinally along a side of the tube and on the base for disposing and sealing strands of hair in the chamber prior to the application of the chemical solution thereto.

In use, the device is opened and the hair strands are inserted through the slot and into the chamber. Upon closing of the device to seal the hair strands therein, the chamber is at least partially filled with a chemical solution to treat the hair strands whereupon the device may be opened and removed from the hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is an isometric view of a device for treating hair strands with a chemical solution;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the device in an open condition;

FIGS, 3-5 are sectional views taken in the direction of arrows llI Ill,' IV--lV,and"V-V in FIG. 1, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows VI -VI in FIG. 4; 7

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modification of the device; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating another modification of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a device for treating hair strands with a chemical solution comprising a tubular body portion or tube 11 defining a chamber therein open at its upper end. A base 12 is secured to a lower end of the tube to normally close a lower end of the chamber. Although the tube and base could comprise separate parts detachably connected together, the device preferably constitutes a one-piece structure composed of a flexible and relatively soft plastic material. The tube and base have means formed thereon to define a continuous slot 13 longitudinally along a side of the tube and on the base for disposing hair strands in the chamber for treatment purposes.

Such means preferably comprises first separation means 14 formed longitudinally along only one side of the tube for permitting the tube to be partially opened to its FIG. 2 condition to separate the tube into first and second tube sections 15 and 16. If so desired, the upper end of the tube may terminate at a conicallyshaped funnel portion 17 to aid in dispensing a chemical solution in the chamber. As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the first separation means comprises a slit 18 formed longitudinally throughout the entire length of the tube, including separated surfaces 19 of the funnel portion.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a combined locking and sealing means is provided at slit 18. Such means may constitute a snap lock including a roundedbead or male member 20 formed on the edge of section I5 and adapted to snap into locked engagement with a mating female socket 21 formed on the opposed edge of section 16. Other types of locking means could be employed, such as conventional snap locks or rubber bands mounted on the outside of the tube, since separation slit 18 will normally be constructed to seal itself when sections 15 and 16 are closed circumferentially.

The means for opening the device may further comprise hinge means 22, preferably diametrically opposed to slit 18 to dispose it on an opposite side of the tube and in parallel relationship with the first separation means. Although the flexible and resilient plastic material preferably constituting the tube will normally permit it to define its own hinge means upon opening thereof, the hinge means preferably comprises a crease or scoreline 23 formed throughout the entire length of the tube to encourage articulation thereat. 1

As suggested above, base 12 is preferably formed as an integral part of the tube and comprises second separation means preferably in the form of a slit 24 to sepa rate the base in first and second base sections 25 and 26 secured to first and second tube sections 15 and 16, respectively. The portion of the hinge means connecting the first and base sections together for opening the device to define slot l3 further comprises a termination 27 of slit 24 which is substantially coextensive with scoreline 23. As further suggested above, the base and tube will readily open to its FIG. 2 condition due to the inherent flexibility and resiliency thereof.

An annular female socket 28 may be formed on a lower side of the base and in vertical alignment with a like configured bear 29 formed on the upper edge of funnel portion 17 to permit two or more of the devices to be attached in axial alignment on each other. In addition, FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively illustrate modifications 10a and 10b of the device wherein the tubes thereof are adapted to be extended or retracted axially,

depending on the amount of hair strands and chemical solution which is desired to be deposited therein.

In FIG. 7, the tube comprises a plurality of telescopically disposed sections 11a wherein overlapped ends of adjacent sections each have an annular bead 30 and a socket 31 formed thereon to detachably lock the respective sections in position. The inherent flexibility and resiliency of the plastic sections will function to maintain the static seal between bead 30 of one section and the abutting smooth wall of the adjacent, overlapped section when they are moved axially relative to each other. If so desired, the sections may be formed as a smooth cylinder (without beads 30 and sockets 31) to form a static seal between the telescopicaly disposed sections due to the close press-fit relationship maintained therebetween.

In the FIG. 8 embodiment 10b, a tube 11b is formed as a bellows to permit selective lengthening thereof. As is well known in the art, the material comprising the tube may be composed to permit the tube to maintain any desired axial length upon axial extension thereof. If so desired, metallic ring members (not shown) could be imbedded in each apex of the tube to aid in maintaining the tube in its desired axially extended position.

The method for treating hair with a chemical solution for frosting, tinting, bleaching or like purposes comprises the initial steps of opening device 10 to its FIG. 2 position and of inserting hair strands through slot 13 and into the chamber defined in the device. Upon closing of the device to seal the hair strands in the chamber, by compressing them between slit 24 and by locking bead into socket 21, the tube is at least partially filled with a chemical solution. After the chemical solution has been allowed to condition the hair the desired length of time, the hair may be rinsed with the devices intact. The devices will then normally slip-off the wetted hair strands of their own accord.

What is claimed is: i

l. A hair treating device for treating hair with a chemical solution comprising a tube and base composed of a flexible, resilient plastic material, said tube defining a chamber therein open at an upper end thereof and terminating in a funnel flaring outwardly from the upper portion and having a bead disposed therearound, said base being flat and secured to a lower end of said tube and extending peripherally outwardly thereof to normally close a lower end of said chamber and to support the same in an upright position, means for opening said device to define a continuous slot longitudinally along a side of said tube and on said base for disposing and sealing strands of hair in said chamber, said means comprising first separation means formed longitudinally along one side of said tube for permitting said tube to be partially opened to separate said tube into first and second tube secions, second separation means formed on said base for permitting said base to be partially opened to separate said base into first and second base sections secured to said first and second tube sections, respectively, said first and second separation means each comprising a slit formed completely through said tube and base, respectively, locking means releasably connecting said first tube and base sections to said second tube and base sections comprising a snap lock formed on said first and second tube sections, hinge means, disposed on another side of said tube, diametrically opposite and in parallel relationship to said first separation means and on said base, connecting said first tube and base sections to said second tube and base sections for permitting opening of said device to define said slot, said hinge means comprising a scoreline formed along the full length of said tube and terminating at said second separation means which is substantially co-extensive therewith, and an annular socket formed in axial alignment with said head on a bottom side of said base whereby the said bead of one device may be mounted in the socket of another device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said snap lock comprises a rounded bead formed along an edge of said first tube section and a mating socket formed along an opposed edge of said second tube section. 

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said snap lock comprises a rounded bead formed along an edge of said first tube section and a mating socket formed along an opposed edge of said second tube section. 